Developing a Model of Construction Safety in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Safety is a major concern for construction companies, as it is a source of substantial direct and indirect costs. In some countries, the rate of total workplace injuries from construction activities can be as high as at least 50%. This is undoubtedly a serious matter warranting urgent attention. In the past decade, interest in the nature of 'safety climate' and its role in predicting occupational accidents and injuries has increased. However, research findings regarding the relationships between safety climate and other key outcomes constructs such as safety behaviours and safety outcomes are to some extent inconsistent. Recent safety climate literature suggests that examining the role of safety motivation may help provide a better explanation on such relationships. In view of this, the authors of this paper have developed a conceptual model depicting the relationships between four main constructs: Safety Motivation, Safety Climate, and Safety Behaviour. In particular, the model hypothesises that Safety Climate has a mediating role on the relationship between Safety Motivation and Safety Behaviour. The aim of the research study presented in this paper was to empirically assess the proposed conceptual model within the context of Saudi Construction Industry. To achieve this, a questionnaire was developed through critical review of literature and was pilot tested with a number of safety management experts. A survey was then administered in Saudi Arabia targeting project managers, site managers, site engineers and supervisors at construction workplaces. In total, 430 sets of questionnaire were distributed and 265 valid responses returned. Based on this dataset, a series of statistical analyses have been performed including basic descriptive analysis, Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses as well as Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results from the analysis support that Safety Climate fully mediated the relationship between Safety Motivation and Safety Behaviour, within the context of Saudi Construction Industry.